Epistemic modesty,ostentatiousness and the uncertainties of epigenetics: on the knowledge machinery of (social) science

Epigenetic processes are garnering attention in the social sciences, where some scholars assert their importance for theorizing social life. I engage with such ideas here by drawing on interviews with leading bioscientists. To begin with, I underscore the (productive) uncertainties of those working in and around epigenetics; I describe these as a manifestation of ‘epistemic modesty’, and suggest that dissensus helps to propel biomedical innovation. Then, drawing on the concept of ‘alien science’, I detail some researchers’ ambivalences regarding the notion of ‘transgenerational inheritance’; their dissatisfaction with the (public) communication practices of other scientists (situated in what I term a regime of ‘epistemic ostentatiousness’); and the challenges faced when moderating societal discussion of epigenetics in ways that expand excitement whilst deflating (what researchers regard as) unrealistic expectations. The paper concludes with reflections on the knowledge machinery of the (social) sciences, and employs the study data to interrogate sociological engagements with epigenetics.     

‘Cultivating our humanity’ in child and family social work in England

The goal of the social work reform process was to provide a generic framework and single professional body within a broad conception of generic social work. However, debates about the role and nature of social work continue to exist. This paper explores whether contemporary child and family social work is inclined at times to make use of a less humane social work practice with families and children. The policy context and the culture of child and family social work are considered. Implications for social work education are identified. The key message of this paper is twofold. There is a tendency in contemporary child and family social work to become synonymous with a particular version of child protection. The type of child protection adopted tends to be authoritarian with at times a limited consideration of the humanity of parents and adult carers in particular.     

Impact of metabolic syndrome and its components on kidney stone in aging Taiwanese males

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MtS) and kidney stone are two common aging diseases with male dominant. This is the first study regarding the potential impact of MtS and its components on kidney stone in aging Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 694 males with a mean age of 55.6 years were enrolled. The definition of MtS was according to the modified criteria developed by the Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan. Subjects were classified as having a disease of kidney stones according to diagnosis by a physician with available medical records or evidence from ultrasonography judged by an investigator of urologist.

Results: Using age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, our results showed that subjects with kidney stone had significantly higher prevalence of MtS (p?=?0.04, OR?=?1.74, 95% CI: 1.0 1–3.00). The presence of MtS had significant correlation with kidney stone (p?=?0.01, OR?=?1.83, 95% CI: 1.1 4–2.93), which were associated with the increment of MtS components (p?p?Conclusions: In aging Taiwanese males, the presence of MtS and its components are strongly associated with kidney stone. Abnormal BP is the most significant risk component of MtS for kidney stone.     

明末清初民间宗教的民族观析论--以《冬明历》为例

<冬明历>是明清时代流传较广、影响较大的民间宗教经书之一,其史料价值弥足珍贵.很长一个时期以来,由于<冬明历>的完整版本一直未被发现,因此对于该书的具体内容和性质,学界多有不识,偶有论及者,或失之偏颇,或流入想像和臆测.本文主要以新近发现的抄本<冬明历>为第一手材料,考察了<冬明历>一书的基本结构及其相关问题,并在明末清初民族冲突的大背景下,重点探讨了民间宗教"夷夏之辨"、反清复明、帝王观的流变与满汉混同等相关问题,为更加深入、全面地认识明末清初的民族与宗教问题提供一种新的研究视角.     

A PROFIT-MAXIMIZATION MODEL FOR A RETAILER'S STOCKING DECISIONS ON PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SUDDEN OBSOLESCENCE

A product has been formally denned as being subject to sudden obsolescence if its lifetime is negative exponentially distributed. Using an approximate model, Masters suggested that the traditional method of incorporating obsolescence cost as a component of inventory holding costs in the economic order quantity (EOQ) model was appropriate-for products subject to sudden obsolescence, provided that the obsolescence cost component was computed properly. Unfortunately, current practice of the EOQ model seriously underestimates the costs of sudden obsolescence. An exact model demonstrating that Masters' model also underestimated true lifetime costs and overestimated the optimal order quantity has been presented. Neither of these models addressed quantity discounts. Furthermore, with their cost-minimization focus, these models fail to identify situations when minimized costs exceed expected revenues. We extend Joglekar and Lee's model to focus on maximizing profits, rather than minimizing costs. This model answers such questions as whether to stock the product at all, whether to accept a quantity discount offer, and what order quantity to use. Numerical examples and sensitivity analyses suggest that Masters' model provides a significant improvement over the traditional model in moving toward true optimality. However, they also illustrate situations where both the traditional and the Masters' model accept a quantity discount that deserves to be rejected and stock a product that should not be stocked. In such situations, it seems important that a retailer uses the profit-maximization model presented here.     

Pathways from workplace flexibility to turnover intention: Role of work–family conflict,family–work conflict,and job satisfaction

This study examined the prevalence of workplace flexibility and the mechanisms that allow workplace flexibility to influence turnover intentions through work–family and family–work conflicts and job satisfaction among low‐wage workers in South Korea. Participants included 250 low‐wage workers whose monthly salary was less than 2 million Korean won (approx. $1,900). The study results indicate that low‐wage workers have limited access to workplace flexibility and that workplace flexibility plays a significant protective role in reducing their turnover intention, indirectly by decreasing work–family conflicts and enhancing job satisfaction. This article also discusses the implications of these findings for labor policy and social work practice.     

Impact of older adults' mobility and social participation on life satisfaction in South Korea

South Korea has been experiencing rapid population aging. In an aging society, the need for healthy lives is greater. Two of the fundamental factors to enable independent and active life for the elderly are mobility and social participation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between older adults’ mobility, social participation, and quality of life in South Korea. We used data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs and applied hierarchical regression. The major finding was that older adults’ mobility had a positive impact on their life satisfaction. After controlling for older adults’ mobility, social participation was positively associated with life satisfaction regardless of the place of residence. The findings of this study not only make a valuable contribution to further research on mobility and social participation but also provide new insight into improving older adults’ quality of life.